Islamic Inheritance Rights for Women in Pakistan: Exploring Legal Safeguards and Social Challenges

Women's right to inheritance is often denied outright, despite the protective provisions enshrined in both Pakistan’s Constitution and Shari‘ah law across Punjab. This study examines Islamic inheritance rights for women within the framework of family law by exploring the legal and social barriers they face in Pakistan. It investigates the underlying reasons why women forgo their inheritance rights, as well as the challenges they encounter when attempting to assert them. The study also explores the available options for women and the obstacles that hinder them from exercising autonomy in pursuing these choices. A qualitative research approach was adopted, with data collected through in-depth interviews. Using purposive sampling, the study selected nineteen women, six men, and three legal experts from the Punjab province as participants. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret the data. Findings reveal that women face significant challenges in accessing their legal inheritance under Islamic Shari‘ah inheritance laws, primarily due to limited awareness of their rights, familial pressure, and cultural norms that discourage women from claiming their rightful share. This research reinforces existing literature on women’s Islamic inheritance rights and underscores the urgent need for policy interventions. It calls upon the Pakistani government to enhance the enforcement of inheritance laws and implement public awareness campaigns that empower women to claim their entitlements.